The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 3, 1899, Page 12

- given certificate | but '"HE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1899. NCOMPETENT TEACHERS WILL BE DISMISSED Public Trials by the School Board. | COMPLAINTS OF PRINCIPAL \ NEW PROBLEMS PRESENTED TO DIRECTORS. | Con lidation Has Injured the Stand- ard of Scholarship in the De- partment by Creating Mixed Grades. An cxperience of two has been a practi’al demonstration to Superintend. ent of Schools R. H. Webster and to sev- eral riembers of the Board of Education that the reforms already instituted in the | department are not sufficient to place the public schools upon a basis of complete effic Teachers that are utterly in- | compiient for the work of instruction are row in charge of classes. These have been for years on the un- the chronological m to the front. Some taken to eliminate them | is one reform ion does not in- Another is made nece probie that the School Di- | rs themselves did not rightly under- stand when they carried into effect their own plan of consolidation. It also will receive attenti When the ool Board determined to | destroy the abuses of its predecessor the | fact was thoroughly understood that un- | der tlhie rule of chronological succession | several incompetent teachers would be glven classes. These instructors have been in the department for years, and un- der the ruling of the board could not be | nored, first place, they could not | ng a inexpe- midst of ion' and | trial. Incompetent in- | refore put back to| re department. { will of short as the Board of Educ these incompetents tried | nd if they do not meet will be dismissed. Pub- | instance, | Complaints and in a few | rerintendent of m they will come to rd of Education and Directors are not sing the number of | The standard of necessary abil- | maintained as well. It is ex- a ve work in be duration, tion in- | me rd confc iy rm to being 122 i ¥ fteen teachers will | ] Al for incompetency | w time. | N every teacher on the nassigned lists fifteen | ie goal of permanent | department. One prin- who will complain_on | petent teachers in: has three worthless instruc iled upon her by the m changes | t W nd confu- 1 change: ! ompetency | in | ond problem which the Board of | face perhaps, more 1 more difficult to handle. department con- fifty pupils to a 1 to creat mixture of grade: the Directors themselve will be 1 ized by inevitably tending to reduce the | of scholarly excellence in the . A teacher who must divide her and her attention between two s cannot as a matter of course Keep both classes e same standard of ex- cellence as she could one. A Spirit of demoralizat enters into a cla om where wo grades are being taught. The Directa free to admit that proba- ble injury will be the result of this con- | solidation to the department. | How to avoid the consequences, how- | ever, is the question that has not yet| been wered. If the attendance should | increase new_teact s a matter of | d. If the attend- | some_other solu- must be obtained. | bee now se would be ar does not n dismissed from | dety mined to | They re- form lools and at | oard of Education in or- ; ; overlook no technicalit- | 4 court of | have positive- ir rollbooks and | I not do_so unless under | is condition of affairs, | n the educa- | t. not conci esident of the o the muzzle for | ndle them as they | ty that| those teachers, , all the teachers in | learn that the| ncisco will not in fu- iined for the benefit of those | o be employed in them. The are to be considered ard desires that the hools they this dep: schools of & for the pupil; and to do this | s have adopted. The | teachers who may reparing to rush | into court h: T we have. position was | fnot abol she dismissed | She was plain acknowle arise where in or class or for some reason a teacher could be dismissed, but as such questions | had not entered into the case they were | not considered. I can say no good, com- | petent teacher will fare unjustly at the | hands of the present board. | “Relatve to the Normal School grad- uates 1 will explain that they will be| ter examination, as in nd_such will be in every re- | The course of examination prepared by the board will call for a per- | a of 8 in all subjects, and | than 7 per cent of correct an- swers in any one subject. “I have found in section 8 of the con- solidation act that the Supervisors are authorized to make up a school fund de- ficien: ard of Educati to do is_to certif the defi ‘unavoidable.” We c: i 000 of that deficit w cause it was used to cover a d the preceding fiscal year. We do not maintain that our predecessors squan- dered money every year. Moreover, if the courts hold that we must pay all those back bills the big deficlency will be | unavoidable.” The appeal in the case against E. | Kilpatrick will be withdrawn by order of | the Judiciary Committee of the Board of | Education. | the pa: spect vall irs. M. C. McDonald, who displaced Miss Passalacqua i the Chinese School, has been granted a leave of absence. She has enerously Trequested that M assa- | acqua, who was placed on i- tute list, be reinstated in the Chinese School, and as the latter is quite a Chinese scholar the offer was gladly ac-| cepted. Mrs. McDonald ou “her return | will take the other teacher's number on the substitute list. In the great shuffie of last week the name of Miss Mary | me up and was marked ‘‘re- It has transpired that she has ried, her name now being Morrisey mix-up of names and weddings ‘may have kindred c: in the | records of the late board. Mrs. Morrisey, however, will be assigned to a class. The teachers who met at 532 Gea street Wednesday afternoon will not take any steps by law toward regaining their lost positions. They consider that it would {‘P money and time wasted. Atlas Whisky, medicinally pure; tones up. Mohns & Kaltenbach, 29 Market street. | a publisher he gave to the | number of novels from the | vestigators, THE FAMOUS "DOXEY™ HAS DIFFICULTIES They Are of a Finan=- cial Nature. PROPOSITICNS TO CREDITORS THEY WILL ENABLE HIM TO CONTINUE BUSINESS. Liabilities Are Said to Be About $40,000—Slow Collections Are Responsible for the Present Complications. Everybody who reads good literature, every one whose Bohemian taste en- abled him to appreciate the unreal things that emanated from “The Lark,” wherein the discordant muse and mel- ody, the “purple cow,” the lady with the green hair and other weird things that are heard of only in strange volumes were given prominence before the public, will learn with honest re- gret that “Doxey,” the earnest, hard- working promotor of the classic, the novel and the grotesque in literature, has fallen upon hard lines. Doxey's book store under the Palace has been a landmark for book buyers for years, and the distress that now effects Mr. Doxey is due to, the fact that the proportion of readers of “raw" novels and those who sought for the remote literary effects were largely dis- proportioned, the percentage being against Mr. Doxey. It is true that as world a pens of California novelists that might other- wise have beenlost to the world, but this fact was not sufficient to smooth over the rough places in the shape of bills payable. In other words, it has become neces- sary for Mr. Doxey to notify his credi- tors that he was in financial difficul- ties and to make them a proposition king to an adjustment thereof. The tuation is unsatisfactory to debtor and creditor. It is understood that Mr. Doxey’s liabilities aggregate over $40,000. He has proposed to his credi- tors that they permit him to continue business as formerly, accepting his of- fer to pay 30 cents on the dollar. This proposal provides for the payment of 15 cents at the end of six months and a final payment of the same sum at the end of one year. This proposition was made on Wed- nesday of this week, but at a late hour y ay afternoon no meeting of creditors had been held to consider the offer. While there is a large indebted- ness to local printers, bookbinders and paper dealers, the bulk of the indebted- ness is said to be in the East among | booksellers. The financial difficulties of Mr. Doxey will be regretted, not alone by his many | patrons, but by the young workers in art and literature. who, through the famous book man’s enterprise and good will, have been advanced in their pro- fessions. The best wishes of all these will be to the end that “Doxey” and his characteristic institution may continue as an entity for many years to come. The local and Eastern creditors are anxijous to assist Mr. Doxey. and it is stated that an agreement is being signed by those most deeply concerned, providing for the continuance of the business on the old lines. Mr. Doxev. in speaking the situation, stated last evening that financial matters would be adjusted, and that there would be no interruption in the affairs of the house. His troubles are largely due to inability to make collections promptly. MRS. PICKENS TOLD ABOUT MAJOR MOORE INVESTIGATION OF AN AMOR- OUS EPISODE. Miss Lissak Was Reluctant to Sign Her Testimony Given in the Chinese Bureau Scandai. Special Agents Linck and Smith re- sumed their investigation yesterday into the charges of immorality nreferred against Special Agent Moore by ex-Col- lector Wise. Mrs. Sallie C. Pickens, for- merly stenographer for the major, —as the first witness called. She told the story that has been already published as to the assault made upon her by the major. Mrs. Thayer, the landlady who ordered the major from the house after Mrs. Pickens had informed her of the major’s actions; Rolla V. Watt, Bert Schlesinger and two stenographers from to-day and to-morrow. The agents had some trouble the other day with Miss Madelaine Lissak, stenog- | rapher for-the Chinese Bureau and the Immigration Bureau. n Miss Lissak had testified in relation to the manner in which the business of the Chinese Bureau | had been handled by Meredith. When she came a day or two later to sign her tes- timony she saw at the head of the sheet in capital letters, “Charges against Mere- dith.” The lady was shocked, and refused to sign the transcript. She sald tiat it had not been her intention to testify against her employer, and she had been under the impression that she had not done so. The agents quietly asked her whether the transcript was not a correct copy of her testime y and she replied that it was. She was asked whether what she nad sworn to was not the truth and she re- plied that it was. ““Then,” said the agents, “we will give vou just two minutes to sign your name.” The lady turned her black eyes appeal- ingly toward the agents, but she saw no | igns of relenting in the faces of the in- d within half a minute from the time the order was given she had signed her name to the testimony. It is not known whether the lady’s 're- luctance was inspired by fear of Chief Meredith’s wrath, or simply that she did not like to do anything that might look like an alliance with the prosecution. —_——————— Judge Treadwell Complains. Judge A. B. Treadwell sent a commu- nication to the Supervisors yesterday complaining of the unsanitary condition of his_courtroom. He attributes several at- tacks of iliness through which he has assed recently to the defective plumb- an. He also complains of the lack of accommodations, claiming the quarters to be too small for the volume of business transacted th ————— Changes in the Auditor’s Office. George F. Wells has been appointed to a clerkship in the office of Auditor Wells, assuming the duties of John C. Broderick. The new appointee is a son of George R. ‘Wells, the widely known attorney, and is a nephew of Charles G. Clinch, the Yo- semite Commissioner. Mr. Broderick l}l_lns"accepted a position outside the City all. —_——— Music in the Air. There {s music in the air every evening in the dining room at the Cafe Zinkand. » GIRLS ATTEMPT TO SET FIRE TO A REFORMATORY Their Number. of age, whose parents live at 123 Oak $06 06060l {0 4 o |o @ to Pearl. ment. ® |10 & |10 that they would be sent to the Whittier Reform School. be obtained, but should the parents refuse they will be sent befors a Superior Judge and ordered committed. time the three girls are being kept under strict surveillance in the school. have been rapid. About 4:45 p. m. Wednesday a still alarm was sent to engine 4, which is not far from the building, and on going there a lot of old excelsior on the first floor, which used to be a store, was found to be on fire. out the flames and no damage resulted. The matter was reported to Fire Mar- shal Towe yesterday morning and he at once commenced an investigation. He ascertained that some of the girls got alarmed at the smell of smoke and noti- She discovered the fire and sent word to fled the matron, Miss M. E. Switzer. engine 4. street. The lives of the inmates of the California Girls’ Training School, 147 Natoma street, were imperiled Wednesday afternoon by the actions of three of their number, who maliciously attempted to set fire to the building. story frame structure, and if the fire had got any headway its destruction would Twice before an attempt has been made to set fire to the building by the inmates, and the Fire Marshal came to the conclusion that some of the girls were responsible this time. Three girls were suspectéd and they were brought be- fore him. They were Pearl Eubanks, 15 years of age, who came from Los Gatos a month ago; Hazel Ward, 13 years of age, from this city, who was taken to the school about ten days ago, being her second term; and Florence Trost, 17 years ‘When questioned they did not deny their guilt. Pearl said she got the matches from Hazel and set fire to the old excelsior with the intention of burning down the buflding. Towe asked her if she thought of the fact that she might have caused the loss of several lives, and she laughed and said: “I don’t care; I want to get out of this old place any- way. The food we get is abominable and we won't stay here. I will do it again if I can get the chance.” She seemed to be incorrigible and Towe gave her up. Hazel Ward admitted stealing the matches from the kitchen and giving them That was her part of the plot. Florence Trost was simply helping them with her sympathy and encourage- The Fire Marshal did not care to have the three girls arrested on a charge of arson and made arrangements so Before that can be done the consent of their parents must HO®0209090 P0P0S0H0H0H0P0S0 $OS0S0 $0P0 0 090P0H0S 0400 4000 $0P0S0G0S0 S0 06404 0SON Lives of the Inmates of the California Girls' Training School Imperiled by the Action of Three of It is a four- It did not take long to put Mean- i Fom THEFIRST Time iRON GRATINGS Ware NoT DEcLAREr A Nuisance T |0 e o | i0 e iO | gradually extending south. TWO VICIOUS ROBBERS USE ~ THEIR SANDBAGS James J. Bagley Held Up by Thieves. Robbers who would do murder for a bit of silver are at present stalking the streets of the city, looking for prey. James J. Bagley, a copyist employed in the City Hall, and who resides at 327 Clementina street; is at present confined to his home from the result of a hold-up by them, of which he was the victim. A ragged gash over his right eye and one at the base of the brain on the same side of the head tell the story of the methods used by the thugs to accomplish their ends. ‘Wednesday evening Bagley went to visit some friends and remained out until about 1 o'clock in the morning. He was walking leisurely along on his way home and reached the corner of Bryant -and Fourth streets, when two men suddenly leaped upon him. He resisted, but before he thought of shouting for help he was Tue Hovel Stove PLayEd To A Fuw House te Day, (i l 0 \ s CHANGE « « « EVeEN THE WEATHER PropHeT NOoTicep A HE vagarles of California climate are many. Residents of this city and vicinity have been kept guessing during the past week on the proper clothing to wear, and Professor Hammon and his assistants have tried to enlighten them. The intensely warm weather of last week, followed as it was by a heavy windstorm and rain, has given way to a cold wave. It blew in from the north on Wednesday night and spread itself in every nook and cranny of this city, and despite the heavy wraps and overcoats worn by pedestrians yesterday the sharp air penetrated their armor and every one sought the sunny side of the street.. Early yesterday morning the temperature went as low as 38 degrees. According to the Weather Bureau this was the lowest point it has reached since the 31st of December of last year. That day was sald to have been the coldest experienced this winter, but yesterday was equal to it. Coming as it did so soon after ‘the warm wave, people are wondering “what next?” A light rainfall was experienced throughout the State during the past forty-eight hours, and now some fear is felt that a heavy frost will follow. The cold wave that struck the city yesterday has been felt throughout Northern California, and, according to Weather Bureau officials, it is VAGARIES OF WINTER WEATHER. AND Tug ICE STAYED ®0P090S 090P0H0GCOHP o o 99060606060 H05090 9090 $0P0 $0V0H0 9040 90H0H0H0H00 040H0 $0H0806 060606060 0604060606 @Q felled by a blow from a sandbag. He fell on his face, he remembers, but & blow in the back of the head rendered him un- conscious. It was some time before he regained consciousness, and then he was in the hands of some people who had found him bleeding in the street. He finally recovered sufficiently to tell them his address, and the strangers took him home. On his arrival home Bagley found that he had been robbed of and a watch and chaln. A physician was sum- and Bagley's injuries were went direct to police headquarters and reported the crime. He was' unable to glve a description of his assallants, as the night was dark and they had their hats pulled down low over their eyes. The suddenness of the blows that feiled him also rendered it impossible to get a look at the robbers. It is thought by the po- lice, considering the vicious manner in which the crime was committ that the perpetrators are old hands at the busi- ness, but the supposition ends their cal- culations, as they don’t know which way or where to look for a clew that will lead to their detection. THE FIGHTS WERE TAME. The friction in the Merchants’ Athletic Club was manifest last night in the monthly boxing contest of the organiza- tion. When Mr. Vicini, late of the Olym- pic. Club, had charge of the meetings of the assoclation everything went smoethly, but last night under the new manage- ment there were -a number of rough places and the entertainment was not up to its usual standard. The friends of Mr. Vicini regret that he has not been treated properly and hope that in the near fu- ture he will again have charge of the contests to be held by the club. Captain Dunlevy of the harbor station Late vesterday afternoon 'Bagley re-, covered sufficiently to leave his home, and{ ¥ stepped into the ring twice last night to stop the fights. The first go was between Frank Dorcey and Pete Recomi, neither of whom was in fit condition to fight. A few punches put Dorcey on the floor, but James_ Anthony, the referee, did not count him out. Captain Dunlevy entered the ring and stopped the fight. The sec- ond bout was between Charles Picard and Pete McClune. It was declared a draw by [{nl Hawklns,]' t?e refeléee. Tlée main event was an eight-round o between Kid McFadden and Kid Everett, and re- sulted in a draw. The fighting in this bout was speedy, but it was frequently interrupted by the coaching of the spec- tators. The crowd became so turbulent in the sixth round that Captain Dunlevy stopf)ed the contest in the middle of it until order was restored and then al- lowed the fight to proceed. There was a large attendance at the meeting. The seats were all taken and a large number of patrons had to be con- tented with standing room. At the close of the entertainment the spectators had difficulty in getting out of the hall, which has but one narrow exit. In case of a fire when the hall was crowded as it was last night loss of life would be inevitable. — e Injured by.a Street Car. John Prutton, a laborer living at 111 Fifth street, was found lying on the streetcar track on Mission street, between Third and Fourth, at 11:45 o'clock last night. He was unconscious and on his head were several bad cuts and bruises. He was removed to the Recelving Hos- pital, but at an early hour this morning had not regained consciousness. J. Hogan, who lives at 63 Minna street, reported to the police that Prutton was crossing the street when he was struck by an electric car and thrown to the pavement. e motorman did not. stop to see how badly the man was hurt, butysped his car along the track. s 9050609090 P0P0H0 $0¢9 0909080609 060406060M TELEPHONE MANHOLES ARE DANGERQUS One Explodes Under a Fire Engine. CREW HAVE A NARROW ESCAPE THE ENGINE WAS BADLY DAM- AGED AND SHAKEN TUP. Sparks Found Their Way Through the Ventilating Holes and Ignited Gas in the Conduits. A peculiar accident occurred last Wednesday evening which opened the eyes of the Fire Department officials to a new danger, and nearl - cost the crew of Engine Company No. 6 their lives. As the engine was returning from a fire at the corner of Fourth and Fol- som streets it crossed a manhole over one of the telephone company’s under- ground wire conduits at Folsom and Fifth streets. Sparks from the engine dropped into the conduit, through the round ventilating openings in the man- hole, and instantly there was a terrific explosion directly under the passing en- gine. The heavy iron manhole cover crashed into the bottom of the engine. shattering the rear tender and break- ing the thick steel gratings as though they were made of thin glass. cussion following the explosion shook the engine from end to end, and nearly threw the driver, engineer and foreman from their positions. They first thought that the boiler had blown up. Almost simultaneously with the first explosion .another manhole cover on the opposite side of the street went shooting skyward. It soared high in the air and landed on Clementina street, fully half a block away. The explosions were heard by people who were blocks away, and a crowd quickly gathered about the scene. The disabled engine was sent to its quarters on Sixth street. Engineer Charlie Strauss, Driver Joe McDonald and Foreman Hogan were congratu- lating themselves that they were not blown to atoms. No cause can be ascribed for the strange freak, save that an unusual amount of gas accumulated in the conduits and ignited when the sparks fell through the ventilating holes. officlals of the Fire Department are particularly disturbed over the un- looked for explosions. They brought to light a new danger which will be a constant menace to the department. Unless the telephone company takes steps immediately to give their under- ground condujts suffici'nt ventilation the drivers of the various engines in the department must swerve from one side of the street to the other when go- ing to or return from a fire, in order to steer clear of the dangerous manholes. There is no reason to believe that the conduits in this particular corner con- tained more gas than those in other portions of the city, so until the danger is eliminated the engine drivers must exercise great care in making their runs. HIBERNIANS WILL HOLD A STATE CONVENTION IT IS TO CONVENE THE FIRST OF NEXT WEEK. New By-Laws Are to Be Adopted and an End Put t, Friction in the Order. The State Convention of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will be held at Hi- bernia Hall, 120 Ninth street, on Monday and Tuesday of next week. The conven- tion has been called for the purpose of perfecting the amalgamation of the Hibernian order and the Board of Rrinand to adopt new by-laws. There has been a split in the order for & number of years, caused by the uestion of eligibility to membership in the order. Some contended that none but natives of Ireland should become mem- bers, while others held that those of Irish garems should be eligible. The former olted from the order and formed the Board of Erin- last June. Committees from the two orders met for the purpose of uniting. Being unable to come to sat- isfactory terms the matter was referred to Bishop McFaul of Trenton, New Jer- sey, and through his efforts the two or- ders amalgamated. Since that time there has been considerable friction in the so- clety on account of the fact that there were no definite by-laws governing al the divisions of the order. It is the in- tention of the convention to adopt a uni- form set of laws which will be used throughout the State. The arrangements for the convention are being made by P. J. McCormick, State president of the order, and a com- mittee composed of the following mem- bers of the order: E. J. Hannon, J. P. Dignan, C. J. Collins, M. Donohue and J. J. floran. At the close of the convention Tuesday evening the delegates will be given a banquet at Maison St. Germain. —_—— THE KENNEDY MURDER. Mrs. Iohnstul;,—fn Sister of the De- fendant, Tells of What She Saw. The defense in the preliminary hearing of Mrs. Elizabeth Regan, charged with the murder of Policeman Kennedy, was resumed before Judge Graham yesterday. Detective Cody testified to seeing marks on Mrs. Regan’'s hands after she was ar- rested that looked like being made by teeth. Mrs. Mary M. Johnston, sister of Mrs. Regan, was on the stand the remainder of the day. She testified that she was in her house and heard ‘her sister calling for help. When she went to the house Kennedy had Mrs. Regan against the wall, and witness said: ““You contemptible cur, what are you doing—trying to kill my sister?” He made use of a vile ex- pression, and as she advanced toward him there was a flash and report, and Kennedy dropped to the floor. She took possession oy the revolver, which had fallen to the floor, and putting it under her apron took it across the street to her | house and hid it under her bed. She sent| no word to the police, and admitted that she told Policeman O’Connell that Ken- nedy had shot himself. In cross examinaton witness contra- dicted a number of statements she made at the Coroner's inquest. One was that she did not bring back the revolver to Mrs. Dean, and another was that Ken- nedy had said he would fill Mrs. Regan full of lead. She passed through c- Devitt's room to get to the dining room, where the scuffle was going on. Mec- Devitt, was in bed, but she did not think it necessary to awaken him. She told of Kennedy giving her sister a pair of black ege! about eighteen months ago, and also that Mrs, Regan was arranging to apply for a divorce from her husband, so that she could marry Kennedy. She did not know that Mrs. Regan had written Ken- nedy that she would buy a farm and he could live on it without working after they were married. The case will be con- tinued this morning L The con- | The | | | WOULD JOIN CONTINENTS WITH COPPER BANDS Capitalists Seek Cable Concessions. GREAT LACK OF FACILITIES ENGLISH COMPANY CONTROLS MANILA CONCESSION. President J. A. Scrymser of Pacific Cable Company Returns From an Extended Tour in the Orient. J. A. Scrymser, president of the Pacific Cable Company and principal owner of | the Mexican and Central and South Amer- ican Telegraph companies, arrived here yesterday on the steamer Coptic. His lines stretch through wind and wa- ter for over 14,000 miles, running from Galveston, Texas, through Mexico and Central America, to Buenos Ayres. They control all the business between these two far distant points on the Atlantic seaboard. Mr. Scrymser has spent several weeks at Honolulu and in the Orient attendin to matters pertaining to his contemplales scheme of laying a trans-Pacific cable. This idea, he says, is not a new one, as no less than three times has he personally called to the attention of Congress the importance and necessity of such a means of communication, and twice has the Gov- ernment’s interest in the matter been awakened by others. This cable matter, Mr. Scrymser says, has so materially in- creased in importance by the United States’ new acquisitions in the far East that it now amounts to ar absolute ne- cessity. Some time ago the Hawalian Government grante the Pacific Cable Company a concession of the exclusive rights between Honolulu and the Japan- ese coast. While the concession was practically an assured fact, yet the for- malities had not all been gone through with when annexation took place, and the United States became the power to whom to look for permission and priv- ilege. The matter was laid before tne Secretary of State, who, it is claimed, not looking carefully encugh into the matter, decided against granting a caon- cession for any such an undertaking. The Pacific Cable Company thus received a temporary setbac... which Mr. Scrymser, upon his return East, will attempt to overcome. ‘When seen at the Palace yesterday Mr. Scrymser said: “This idea of laying a cable across the Pacific is not a new one. It has come before Congress a num- ber of times before now. One thing and another have interfered to frustrate our As a consequence America remains ¥ dependent on other powers for tne ws she receives. and is forced to make use of the facilities of foreign nations to communicate with the army and navy in her newly acquired territory. “This will have to be remedied sooner y a_big row will take , and when it does our s will be in the very center of the trouble and in a position which will make it impossible for them to communicate with the home Gov- ernment in anything under thirty days’ time.” Mr. Scrymser says the open door, as far as cable matters are concerned, is all at our end of the line. The whole of tne eastern world is one immense network of monopolies, of which the Eastern Cable Company, an English concern, capitalized at $75,000,000, and the Great Northern Tel- egraph Company are the controlling tac- tors. The Eastern Cable Company has the Manila concession, which it obtained un- der the Spanish Governmen Thus, as far as transmission of news is concerned, we find ourselves entirely in the hands of powers which may become embroiled in war at any time and cut us entirely off, Should an American company acquire such a concession as was about to be granted to Mr. Scrymser by the Hawa- flan Government it would afford a work- ing basis for an adjustmient of matters founded on reciprocity. Mr. Scrymser says he will take up the matter immediately upon his return to New York. If he succeeds in persuadin; the Government to accept his view o things, Mr. Srl‘}'mflerk_wlll s{llll :’:{n{,‘vi‘gs- fore him an undertaking of grea - n?tude. Tt will cocc over $20,000,000 before the old world ang tlf':e new are chained to- by a band of copper. ge!&(‘;?rsén'mscr is accompanied on_his trip by his wife, Miss Delafield of New York and Miss Minturn, a writer and lec- turer on philosophical, political and social questionmiSrEeT ISy e THE NURSES’ SIDE. They Object to Attridge’s Plan of Re= trenchment and Call It Absurd. While the members of the Board of Su- pervisors are engaged in very laudabla efforts at retrenchment the results of their investigation, like the School Board, work both ways and cause much adverse criticism. A recent illustration of this is the case of Supervisor Attridge, chairman of the Hospital Committee. Mr, Attridge, in his investigations, has made the discovery that the expenses of the City and County Hospital have exceed- ed the appropriation according to the one-twelfth act. He complains of an army of nurses and other attaches who are paid $5 to $10 per month with board and fodging. He does not think the salarles paid are exorbitant, but objects to feed- ing so many nurses and is of the opinion that it would be cheaper to employ & smaller number of professionals. Now comes the other side—the nurses, who think they have been unjustly crit- fcized. Their story is as follows: 7 “There are about twenty-six ‘student | nurses recelving a salary of $10 per month v oard. Supervisor Attridge thinke n“v?m})ld be cheaper to hire a smaller Number of professionals. We are afraid he did not figure the thing out carefully. If he had he would have seen that our board costs the city but 14 cents a day; our wages are practically nothing. Fif- teen trained nurses could not do the work and thelr wages would be at least §75 each er month. Pegupervisor Attridge had better look around carefully and he will probably find a better scheme of retrenchment than doing away with the training school of nurses and hiring professionals at sevem times as much.” —_———————— In the Divorce Courts. Charles Christiansen was granted a di= vorce from Lillian Christiansen yesterday on the ground of wiliful desertion. The custody of a minor child was awarded Mr. Christiansen. Dora Mitchell has been granted a divorce from Peter Mitchell on the ground of extreme cruelty. Suits for divorce were filed yesterday by Anna Lacaze against Jeanin Lacaze, for failure to provide; Justine Lelame against SI- mon Lelame, for failure to provide; Louls J. Repp against Josephine Repp, for de- sertion; Robert James Jackson against Rose Jackson, for cruelty, and Edith M. ‘Wilkinson against William H. Wilkinson, for cruelty. Myrta Strubel was grante a divorce from F. M. Strubel on the ground of wiliful neglect. —_— e Lurline Salt Water Baths. Bush and Larkin sts. Swimming, Russian, hof and cold tup patns. Saltwater direct fromoceals —_—————— ‘Was Punished for Lying. James Campbell stole a bolt of cloth from Henry Samaria, 1313 Stockton street, and when charged with the theft in Judge Mogan’s court yesterday he denied it and sald the bolt got stuck on his coat and he did not notice it till he was in the street. The Judge gave him two months for tha theft and four months additional for ly- ing. —_—————— Dr. D'Evelyn, returned from the East. Office, Phelan bullding -